Sudden illnesses, accidents, fire catastrophes, explosions, gas leakages and war damage constitute serious threats to industry and other production enterprises all over the world.

To counteract the hazards resulting from such emergencies the Federation of Norwegian Industries in 1948 decided to establish an industrial civil defense organization. The Federation also decided that the industry itself should cover the cost both for operation of a central staff and for organizing and running an industrial civil defense at each individual plant or facility.

In 1953, the organization was legalized through the Norwegian Civil Defense Act and a Royal Decree of 1965 decided that the Industrial Civil Defense central staff should organize and supervise self protection in all enterprises employing 40 or more persons engaged in industrial activity, manufacturing and skilled trades, etc. This applies irrespective of where the facility is situated or where the operation takes place.